The Writerly Ramblings of a Whimsical Bean

GOOD MORNING, OCTOBER!: ft. All About That Pitch Wars & My Plans For October!

I mentioned very briefly in my last post (which you should DEFINITELY check into if you haven’t already, because there are PRIZES and a WRITING CONTEST and ME SCREAMING FEROCIOUSLY INTO THE VOID) that I was going to be entering Pitch Wars. So today I’m here to go into a little bit more detail regarding that. But just a forewarning, this is mostly me just ranting and squealing and ripping my hair out over the anxiety that is Pitch Wars. So if you’d like to hear about which story I entered, what I’m working on now, and my mediocre plans for October, read-on, my peasant!

— ALL ABOUT THAT PITCH WARS —

For those of you who don’t know what Pitch Wars is, it’s a writer-mentorship-program thing-a-ma-jig, wherein industry professionals (a.k.a. mentors) each take a single writer (mentee) under their wing for four months, nourishing them with writerly wisdom and affection whilst grotesquely destroying their manuscript in the hopes that by the end of the editing period, it will be much shinier and smoother and overall better than when they first began.

For a more detailed and much less run-on sentence, here’s the link to the website. Unfortunately, submissions have already closed for this year’s contest, so if this looks like something you might be interested in, you’re going to have to wait until next year.

But!! This is not necessarily a bad thing! I desperately wanted to submit to Pitch Wars last year, but due to my manuscript not being finished–and, you know, being 200,000 words long. aha. #details–I had to wait. In fact, I had to wait so long that I wasn’t even sure if I was going to submit this year. But then my wonderful friend, Phoebe, was going to enter, and obviously I couldn’t let her undergo this ordeal all alone, right? So naturally I had to enter, as well.

Which was fun.

And also slightly stressful.

#i’mfine

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how I even managed to get my act together long enough to form a proper submission. I’ve never written a query letter in my life, let alone a one-page synopsis (synopses are evil. this is a fact), so having to do both those things within the span of a single week was intimidating at best. But through it all I had my wonderful family and writing friends supporting and helping and critiquing my entry, and with their encouragement–and a much-needed pep talk from my mom–I was able to finish.

It was nothing short of a miracle, I can assure you.

Now I’m just sitting here, desperately trying to keep myself from refreshing my email or stalking the Pitch Wars teasers hashtag or . . . you know . . . setting my hair on fire. I’m trying to write the wait (as all us smart PW hopefuls do), but that’s not exactly working out for me as I’d hoped. . .

In case it wasn’t obvious, the novel I’ve submitted to the PW mentors is everlost, which is basically nothing short of terrifying. That story is SO close to my heart, so having someone read it and potentially despise it is kinda crippling for my anxiety. But, on the other hand, having someone read it and potentially love it is even MORE terrifying, because then it means that this story–this smol, grubby child of a book that I have loved and nurtured for three years–is potentially almost ready to be shared with the world, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that kind of plunge into reality yet. . .

But I really am excited to potentially make it better. I’m excited for the chance to work with a mentor to help streamline my vision for this story. And I’m really excited that I was courageous enough to even enter this competition, even though I got cold feet about four-hundred times and my mom had to hurl socks at my face. No matter the outcome of this, submitting to PW has been one of my top writerly highlights of 2019, and I am so incredibly proud of pushing both myself and this book this far. . .

But I’ve unfortunately hit a bit of a wall in this new adventure. I haven’t heard anything back from the mentors yet (it’s been four days. i’m not anxious, you’re anxious.), so right now I’m stuck in a limbo until November. With the potential of becoming a PW mentee still hanging in the horizon, I don’t want to commit to any huge writing projects–such as NaNoWriMo–which could possibly get thrown by the wayside if/when I’m chosen (emphasis on the if, of course.). So I’m still trying to figure out what, exactly, I’m supposed to be doing until I hear back from a mentor. (you know. other than writing than squirming and annoying my family’s ears off about how nervous I am. . .)

But since it’s October, and since I’m still trying to get back in the swing of posting regularly, I do have some tentative plans for this most spooky of months! Some of which include posting that short story I’ve been promising (and other blogiversary stuffs), and also working on a new novel project, which we will talk about in three . . . two . . .

. . . one . . .

— OCTOBER PLANS! —

It’s October, peasants. Excuse me whilst I go rip my hair out.

Now, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty sure September started like a week ago??? Where on earth has the time gone? Have I entered an alternate dimension? The Twilight Zone? HAVE I GOTTEN SUCKED INTO HALLOWEEN LAND?????

I’m pretty sure 2019 is still supposed to be somewhere back in March, but somehow we’re already coming up on the end of it. What is this madness?? And to make matters worse, we are literally one month out from NaNoWriMo.

WHICH I’M STILL NOT SURE IF I’M PARTICIPATING IN OR NOT.

I mean, half of me says that no matter what happens with PW, I need to do the NaNo. I’ve been doing it religiously ever since I found out about it in 2015, so clearly I cannot end my streak now, right?

RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!

But the other half of me says I need a break. And if not from NaNoWriMo, at least from the NaNoWriMo Dare Squad. (which is a shame, I know, but I NEED THE BREAK, PEASANTS.) So. Right now, although I don’t have any hard-and-true plans for NaNo, I do know that there will not be a NaNoWriMo Dare Squad this year. (please don’t hate me) I WILL, however, be writing and posting my Dare from last year, because I AIN’T NO QUITTER, FOLKS. And if you lost the Dare Squad last year and have yet to post your dare . . . know that I am watching you.

this is me. watching you.

Lol, just kidding. I have no clue which ones of you haven’t done your dares yet, because I am a supreme failure at all things Life and Blogging, obviously.

Ahem. In happier news, I’ve started drafting SK again!!!! Perhaps you remember my glorious little child project which I started earlier this year, perhaps you don’t, but either way, my alternate universe fantasy novel is officially underway once again. I’m falling in love with the characters, I’m plotting twists and turns and autumn aesthetics, and I am SO SO SO excited to begin re-delving into this book! I’d love to do a post about it someday–including that delightful interview with the cast which I never finished drafting. . .–but that’ll have to wait for some future day. For right now, all I can really say is the drafting process is coming along slowly but surely, and I’m enjoying it all immensely.

Aside from writing SK (which is my main plan for October), my other mediocre plans include:

CHRISTMAS PREP!!! . . . every year I make gifts for my family, and I’d really like to get a head-start on it this year. (I also have a habit of saying I’m going to get a head-start on this every year. Do I ever get a head-start? . . .no.)

READING! . . . I’m currently reading THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far. But I’d really like to dive into my CP’s novel again. And also maybe start a Harry Potter re-read? Or maybe read one of the millions of books on my TBR. . .

BLOGGING MORE! . . . I was initially going to fill October with posts on Villains, buuuuuuut that didn’t really pan out. I’m still planning villain posts (with some very special guests, as well!!!!!!), but Life got in the way and we haven’t been able to do them yet. Oops? BUT I’M STILL PLANNING ON BLOGGING MORE!!!! I miss writing blog posts. I miss writing fun blog posts, especially, because the posts I’ve been writing lately are really boring, and I want to write something fun again. . .

WATCH A PLETHORA OF HALLOWEEN-Y MOVIES, SUCH AS THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, CORPSE BRIDE, AND SWEENEY TODD . . . Don’t judge me. I need this.

. . .and that’s about it. This is just a short list of all the many things I want to do this month, which may or may not come to pass, but I’ve found that making FEWER plans helps me do more, so here we are.

I tell you what, though, folks. Life has been nasty towards me lately. He’s very aggressive, very demanding, and has no respect whatsoever for my sloth-like pace. I think I’ll add “Plan Life’s Murder” to my list of things to do this October, so if anyone wants to join, come meet me underneath the brambleberry tree at midnight on the eve of the full moon. Bring your own pitchforks, though, because I have none to spare. (cookies shall be provided, however.)

TALK TO ME, PEASANTS!

And that’s about all I’ve got to say for today, folks! I honestly can’t believe it’s officially October. This feels weird and all sorts of wrong, and I think I’m going to go stuff my head inside a pumpkin so that maybe I’ll start believing it’s finally Fall. . .

But anyway! Let’s get to the questions!: What kinds of projects are you working on right now? Are you writing a novel? Poems? A million short stories on a rusty old typewriter whilst rain patters down your windowpanes? Do you think it feels like October, or did we all get sucked into the Twilight Zone? Are YOU planning on participating in NaNoWriMo this year? (and if so, do you think I should participate, as well? because I’m honestly torn right now. . . preptober is such a fun time, and I feel like I’m going to miss out???? help????) and most importantly. . .

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR JOINING PITCH WARS!!!!!!! Honestly, I didn’t know much about it. I had seen people mention it, but wasn’t sure what all it entailed. It sounds awesome! And scary. BUT AWESOME. AND YOU APPLIED AND JUST AAAAHHHH!!!!!! GO, KENZIE. That is absolutely fabulous!

Oh man, I was working on a query letter and synopsis just these past few weeks myself! :O THE SYNOPSIS THOUGH. It killed me. It is my mortal enemy. I am dead now. I am a ghost because writing a synopsis slayed me. Seriously though, summing up one’s ENTIRE novel in a page or so? HOW? WHY? I’M DEAD.

Ahem.

Aaaanyways. I feel your pain, girl. I feel it. BUT YOU DID IT AND I AM SO PROUD.

As far as NaNo, the more frens of mine are doing it, the happier I am. BUT. You should not put that pressure on yourself! If you want to do it, GO FOR IT! But if you need a break, DO NOT feel guilty about that! You are already doing sooo many awesome things toward your writing pursuits and it’s OKAY if you need to bow out of NaNo this year. Naturally I’ll be ecstatic if you join us, but if it can’t work out for you, there is nothing wrong with that! You can watch all of us spiral out of control while you maintain your sanity. *grins* You just do what will be best for your life right now! *HUGS*

Speaking of life… *sharpens pitchfork* I’m TOTALLY joining you on taking Life out because HOW IS IT OCTOBER? WHAT HAS THIS YEAR BEEN? WHAT IS LIFE DOING???? Complete insanity! I 1000000% believe it should still be March and I am so confused right now halp.

ASDFGHJKLASDFGHJKLASDFGHJKL THANK YOU, CHRISTINE!!!!! Entering Pitch Wars was–not gonna lie–absolutely terrifying, and I’m really not sure how I even managed to do it… I’m still in shock??? Aha. *sweats nervously* BUT MEEP, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! It definitely was terrifying, but I’m so so happy and proud that I did it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since last Summer, so getting to do it this year was kind of magical. (even if nothing comes of it, I’m still gonna be happy with what I’ve done. XD)

UGGGGGGGGH, ARE THEY NOT THE MOST HORRIBLE THINGS IN EXISTENCE?? The query letter was kind of fun. Like, you could be all mysterious and interesting and try to hook your reader. BUT THE SYNOPSIS?? “They did this. They did that. This led to them doing another thing.” << SUCH BORING. MUCH WOW. I'm so happy it's over…and am simultaneously dreading having to do it all over again. XD But OH MY GOODNESS GOOD JOB ON ACTUALLY DOING IT, THOUGH??? I mean, you might be dead now (I am, too), but at least you did it, right??? It's over!!!! We won!!!! *flies away to afterlife*

Oh goodness, it's a very difficult decision… So many wonderful people are doing NaNo this year, and my heart longs to join them, but my brain is like this grumpy old man who refuses to participate because he needs a nap. XD I'm literally split from the inside out. XD I'm definitely still debating it, though. (and I have *ideas* for what I'm going to write if/when I decide to participate), but I'm still unsure… OH!! But either way, I still need to friend you on the new site!!!!! What's your user again??? (I'm The Whimsical Bean!!!!) OOOH. Keeping my sanity sounds lovely! But at the same time I desperately want to lose it alongside you. XD

YESSSSS!!! COME JOIN ME IN MURDERING LIFE!!! It shall be wonderful and cathartic and we can take its crown and become the rulers we were always meant to be. XD

That’s so awesome that you entered Pitch Wars! And with everlost! GOOD LUCK!!!!!

And it’s awesome you’re writing SK again. I’m very curious about that little one. (Also, totally random, but would you say it/its world is at all similar to Mysterious Benedict Society, if you’ve read that? Bc idk what it was but something you said up there made me go “this feels Mysterious-Benedict-Society-ish??” So I’m just curious. And also I LOVE mbs so that would be super cool if it was similar.)

I’m excited for all your upcoming posts, even though I like even your boring posts :P

EEK THANK YOU!!! I’m terrified, and I’m PREEEEEETTY sure no one will choose me, but it was still a step in the right direction for my future of endless querying!

Ugh, I LOVE this trainwreck of a book. It’s my smol son and I shall cherish him forever. (OOOH! I’ve never read Mysterious Benedict Society!!! It is definitely going on my TBR now, though, and as soon as I read it, I shall let you know if it’s at all similar!!!!)

OH MY GOODNESS YOU ARE TOO KIND TO ME. I CANNOT. *feeds you cookies* ASDFGHJKL YES GO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!! I am so excited to find out who the winner is!!!! *bites nails*

About The Bean

Kenzie is a writer, blogger, full-time dreamer, and daughter of the King. With books in her hands and dragons in her pockets, her mission is to sprinkle the universe with pixie dust and whimsy. (and also cookies. all of the cookies.)

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Copyright 2016-2020 Mackenzie Keene, all rights reserved. GIFS are taken from GIPHY. Images are either mine or taken from Unsplash. Short stories, poems, snippets, and posts are completely my own (unless it’s a guest post or some other random thing, obviously) and will therefore result in massive pitchfork stabbings if you try and steal them. *slaps hand* NO.